Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the SCCA?
A: The Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) is a 60,000-member not-for-profit organization featuring the most active membership participation organization in motorsports today, with over 2,000 amateur and professional motor sports events each year. True grassroots motor sports participation remains the backbone of the club, as 110 regional chapters conduct the vast majority of the club's participation events.
Q: What is MARRS?
A: The Mid-Atlantic Road Racing Series (MARRS) is a series Championship organized by the Washington DC Region of the SCCA. MARRS has nine to ten events each year mostly held at the Summit Point Motorsports Park, but two or three events are held at other tracks to add some variety and challenge to the Championship. The series has visited such storied tracks as Watkins Glen International, Virginia International Raceway, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, and Charlotte Motor Speedway. A spirit of camaraderie and sportsmanship is prevalent at all the races and it binds the community together. A good time at the track is virtually guaranteed at a MARRS event.
Q: How are the points determined?
A: The MARRS Points Championship Rules are the following:
- Objective
The Mid Atlantic Road Racing Series (MARRS) is a series of SCCA sanctioned races held in the Mid-Atlantic area provided as MARRS events by the Washington DC Region. The Washington DC Regions conducts a points competition, by class, to determine and recognize drivers' overall success in the series. Championship and runner-up awards are presented to participants in each qualifying class. These rules are applicable to all classes running in MARRS races; national, regional and DC Region specific classes. - Competitor Defined
"Competitor" and "Compete" is defined as turning a wheel on course (qualifying or racing) and paying the full entry fee for the event. - Competitor and Class Requirements
to Receive MARRS Points
A. To be eligible for MARRS points, a competitor's car must display an approved MARRS decal on each side of the car. Any car displaying the approved MARRS decal will receive points unless the competitor has covered or "X'ed" out the MARRS decal prior to the start of the race.
B. To be eligible for year-end class MARRS championship and runner-up awards, the class must have had a minimum of three (3) competitors, as defined in 2. above, in at least two thirds of the MARRS events held that year.
C. To be eligible for year-end class MARRS championship and runner-up awards, a competitor must compete in that class in greater than 50% of the MARRS events held that year.
D. If a driver is disqualified, he does not receive MARRS points. However, a disqualified driver will be counted as a competitor provided the driver meets the definition of competitor in 2. above. \ - Race Points Awards
A. Competitors who compete in MARRS events shall be awarded points for their finishing position as follows provided the Class Requirements in section 3. above are met:
Position-Points
1-300......14-90......27-37......40-11
2-250......15-85......28-34......41-10
3-220......16-80......29-31......42-9
4-200......17-75......30-29......43-8
5-180......18-70......31-27......44-7
6-160......19-65......32-25......45-6
7-140......20-60......33-23......46-5
8-130......21-55......34-21......47-4
9-120......22-52......35-19......48-3
10-110....23-49......36-17......49-2
11-105....24-46......37-15......50-1
12-100....25-43......38-13
13-95......26-40......39-12
B. Points as outlined in section 4.A. will be awarded except for competitors who are considered DNF or DNS per the GCR.
C. Points will be awarded to all MARRS competitors based on their respective finishing position as compared to other MARRS competitors. (Example: if you finish third in class and you are the first MARRS competitor, you will receive 1st place points). - Maximum Points
A. In the spirit of series competition, competitors may accumulate points from no more than two (2) less than the total number of MARRS events. Point standings will be computed using each competitor's best results. (Example: if there are nine (9) MARRS races, then only seven (7) will be counted to determine point standings. If a competitor has earned MARRS points in more than seven (7) races, then only their seven (7) best finishes will be used to determine their final MARRS points standings).
B. Ties in the final points standings shall be resolved on the basis of each driver's record of first place finishes; then if necessary second place finishes; then if necessary third place finishes; etc., using only the races included in calculating the final year end points for each driver as described in 5.A. above. If two or more drivers have accumulated the same number of first place finishes, second place finishes, third place finishes, etc. in the races counted, then the winner shall be the driver who beat the most competitors in their class in one of their first place finishes. If in all of their first place finishes there were the same number of competitors, they shall be considered tied for the position in the standings. - Authority and Administration
A. The MARRS points championship is conducted under the direction of the Competition Committee of the Washington DC Region of SCCA. MARRS Points Championship Rules are set by the Competition Committee prior to the first MARRS race of the year and may not be changed until the completion of the series for that year.
B. The Competition Committee shall appoint a "Pointskeeper" prior to the start of the MARRS season. After each MARRS race, the Pointskeeper, with the assistance of Timing & Scoring and the Office Manager, shall determine MARRS points awards for that race and publish the points results (and include date of publication) on the WDC Region website within 14 days after the race and in the next issue of the WDC magazine, The Straightpipe. Any challenge or protest of the MARRS points awarded for a race must be filed with the Chairman of the Competition Committee within 14 days after Publication of the results on the WDC Region website. - Championship Awards Presentation
The MARRS Championship and runner-up awards will be presented at the Washington DC Region Annual Awards Ceremony. It should also be noted that points performance may be used in the determination of other awards that the Region may award such as Rookie of the Year, Driver of the Year, etc.
Q: What is the fastest speed you go? slowest speed? average speed?
A: Although the Team Sisu Nissan 240sx lacks a proper speedometer, analysis of the RPMs, gearing, and tire circumference indicate a top speed of approximately 128mph at Summit Point Motorsports Park. The slowest speed is approximately 45mph at the same track. The ten turn course is completed at an average speed of approximately 80mph; an average 2 mile lap taking about 1 minute 29 seconds.
Q: Is it dangerous?
A: Yes and no. Automobile racing has the potential to be very dangerous. However, the danger is mitigated by a number of precautions; chiefly, the safety devices in the car (full roll cage, fire system, race harness, window net), the personnel at the track (corner workers stationed within quick response of any incident, ambulances at the ready, safety equipment available), and the track itself (generous runoff room for off track excursions). The experience of all involved helps lead to an organized safe weekend for all - it is no shock that SCCA workers are asked to staff all major road racing events in the United States.
Q: How do they determine what cars race with what cars?
A: Cars are divided into a number of classes based on type of car, preparation level, and performance potential of the car. Generally, there are three types of car; open-wheel cars that look like a Formula One or IndyCar, closed-wheel sports racers that look like LeMans cars, and sedans that look like street cars. All of the racing that Team Sisu is involved in is in that last type. The preparation level of the car can fall into one of four categories: GT, Production, Improved Touring, or Showroom Stock. GT cars are purpose built racecars that often retain only the silhouette of a real car. Production cars must begin with the street car and are heavily modified engines and suspension. Slightly less modified are the Improved Touring cars where Team Sisu plays. Finally, Showroom Stock cars are very close to the car from the showroom with only safety devices added. Within the Improved Touring category, there are 4 performance levels; ITR is the fastest, then ITS, ITA, ITB, and ITC. Team Sisu's Nissan 240sx is in ITA and our Honda CRX is in ITC. Generally, the IT category garners the most cars of all the classes/categories and is where the competition is the most intense.
Q: What modifications are allowed to the car?
A: The modifications allowed in the Improved Touring classes include balance and blueprinting the engine (overbored), intake manifold is stock but filter is open, exhaust header and open exhaust, competition radiator, oil cooler, accusump, coil-over shocks, adjustable springs, competition sway bars, carbon brake pads, and other improvements.